The art of war for young minds

Imagine you have a big box of Legos, and your friend has another box.

Imagine you have a big box of Legos, and your friend has another box.

You both want to build the coolest castle ever!

You both want to build the coolest castle ever!

That's kind of like war – two sides with different things trying to win.

That's kind of like war – two sides with different things trying to win.

Sun Tzu, a super smart guy, wrote a book called "The Art of War" to help people be the best castle builders ever, without breaking any Legos!

Sun Tzu, a super smart guy, wrote a book called "The Art of War" to help people be the best castle builders ever, without breaking any Legos!

Here's what he said: **Being Smart is the Best Weapon:** Before you even touch the Legos, think!

Here's what he said: **Being Smart is the Best Weapon:** Before you even touch the Legos, think!

Is your friend's castle already really strong?

Is your friend's castle already really strong?

Maybe you can trick them into using the wrong pieces, or find a weak spot to take gently apart.

Maybe you can trick them into using the wrong pieces, or find a weak spot to take gently apart.

It's always better to win without fighting!

It's always better to win without fighting!

**Know Your Enemy:** Sometimes you can't avoid a fight.

**Know Your Enemy:** Sometimes you can't avoid a fight.

So, peek at your friend's Legos!

So, peek at your friend's Legos!

See if they have more towers or walls.

See if they have more towers or walls.

Maybe they have a sneaky dragon piece you need to watch out for.

Maybe they have a sneaky dragon piece you need to watch out for.

The more you know, the better you can plan.

The more you know, the better you can plan.

**Plan, Plan, Plan!:** Now that you know all about your friend's Legos, it's time for your super awesome castle plan!

**Plan, Plan, Plan!:** Now that you know all about your friend's Legos, it's time for your super awesome castle plan!

Maybe you'll build really high walls so their dragon can't reach, or a secret tunnel to surprise them.

Maybe you'll build really high walls so their dragon can't reach, or a secret tunnel to surprise them.

The best plan uses all your Legos in the smartest way.

The best plan uses all your Legos in the smartest way.

**Listen to Your Team:** You might have the best plan ever, but what if your friend has two helpers?

**Listen to Your Team:** You might have the best plan ever, but what if your friend has two helpers?

Teamwork is super important!

Teamwork is super important!

Talk to your friends building with you, share ideas, and make sure everyone knows what to do. **Be Flexible:** Even the best plans can go wrong.

Talk to your friends building with you, share ideas, and make sure everyone knows what to do. **Be Flexible:** Even the best plans can go wrong.

Maybe your friend builds a super tall tower you didn't expect.

Maybe your friend builds a super tall tower you didn't expect.

Don't get mad!

Don't get mad!

Just change your plan a little.

Just change your plan a little.

Use your Legos in a new way to keep building your awesome castle!

Use your Legos in a new way to keep building your awesome castle!

**Don't Be Greedy:** Sometimes, you might see a chance to take all your friend's Legos!

**Don't Be Greedy:** Sometimes, you might see a chance to take all your friend's Legos!

But that's not nice.

But that's not nice.

Remember, you can still have the coolest castle by using your own Legos and working together.

Remember, you can still have the coolest castle by using your own Legos and working together.

Sharing is always better!

Sharing is always better!

The Art of War" isn't just about Legos, it's about being smart and solving problems.

The Art of War" isn't just about Legos, it's about being smart and solving problems.

It teaches us to win without fighting, to plan ahead, and work together.

It teaches us to win without fighting, to plan ahead, and work together.

So next time you play with friends, remember Sun Tzu's tips and build the most amazing castle ever!

So next time you play with friends, remember Sun Tzu's tips and build the most amazing castle ever!